Food Scene
Starbucks
12100 Santa Monica BlvdOpen 24/7!
Known for their rotisserie chicken - I get the salad (large portions) and delicious!
90 locals recommend
California Chicken Cafe
424 Lincoln BlvdKnown for their rotisserie chicken - I get the salad (large portions) and delicious!
Iconic sandwich shop from San Francisco - a plethora of great sandwiches!
7 locals recommend
Ike's Sandwiches
1151 Westwood BlvdIconic sandwich shop from San Francisco - a plethora of great sandwiches!
Solid burgers + other items (Fried Chicken is excellent). Nice beer selection too.
200 locals recommend
Plan Check
1800 Sawtelle BlvdSolid burgers + other items (Fried Chicken is excellent). Nice beer selection too.
Just about as authentic as it gets. You won't find California Rolls here. Parking in the rear.
43 locals recommend
Hide Sushi
2040 Sawtelle BlvdJust about as authentic as it gets. You won't find California Rolls here. Parking in the rear.
Japanese Ramen joint that offers unique Tsukemen - aka dipping ramen (also they have normal Ramen here). Not good for large groups.
96 locals recommend
Tsujita LA Artisan Noodle Annex
2050 Sawtelle BlvdJapanese Ramen joint that offers unique Tsukemen - aka dipping ramen (also they have normal Ramen here). Not good for large groups.
Churros Calientes
11521 Santa Monica BlvdAttached to a fancier restaurant - the burger and chicken sandwich are amazing. Perhaps my favorite burger place in LA. Cheap valet parking adjacent. Check out the bathrooms! Not good for large groups.
49 locals recommend
Honor Bar
122 S Beverly DrAttached to a fancier restaurant - the burger and chicken sandwich are amazing. Perhaps my favorite burger place in LA. Cheap valet parking adjacent. Check out the bathrooms! Not good for large groups.
Iconic Bakery + their own ice cream store next door! Also check out the 24/7 Sprinkles ATM if you're having late night munchies!
62 locals recommend
Sprinkles Beverly Hills Cupcakes
9635 S Santa Monica BlvdIconic Bakery + their own ice cream store next door! Also check out the 24/7 Sprinkles ATM if you're having late night munchies!
Ramen place that has really blown up in the past year or two. Get the ramen, Chashu rice, and/or fried rice. Open late!
130 locals recommend
Tatsu Ramen
7111 Melrose AveRamen place that has really blown up in the past year or two. Get the ramen, Chashu rice, and/or fried rice. Open late!
Curry House Japanese Curry & Spaghetti
17865 Colima RdGreat Japanese style Curry.
Il Pastaio
400 N Canon DrPerhaps my favorite Italian Restaurant. In the $20-40 range.
If you're looking for a good steak. The best i've ever had. Easily $75+ per person.
208 locals recommend
Mastro's Steakhouse
246 N Canon DrIf you're looking for a good steak. The best i've ever had. Easily $75+ per person.
The world-famous Lawry's prime rib. Yes, the same one as the spices. Trust me, it's a good prime rib (also have some seafood selection too).
63 locals recommend
Lawry's The Prime Rib
100 La Cienega BlvdThe world-famous Lawry's prime rib. Yes, the same one as the spices. Trust me, it's a good prime rib (also have some seafood selection too).
Unique Asian/Mexican fusion food. Great tacos/other stuff at a decent price!
61 locals recommend
Komodo
8809 W Pico BlvdUnique Asian/Mexican fusion food. Great tacos/other stuff at a decent price!
Sure, there are Korean BBQ places to go to in KoreaTown, but this place is close to home.
6 locals recommend
Hanjip Korean BBQ
3829 Main StSure, there are Korean BBQ places to go to in KoreaTown, but this place is close to home.
If you're a RHOBH fan, this is probably on your list. Or, PUMP... Or SUR (both in West Hollywood).
15 locals recommend
Villa Blanca
9601 Brighton WayIf you're a RHOBH fan, this is probably on your list. Or, PUMP... Or SUR (both in West Hollywood).
My family's favorite since the 60s. The true meaning of 'Mexican-American'. Not your authentic taco, but still damn good. Definitely a 'cheat meal'
78 locals recommend
Tito’s Tacos
11222 Washington PlMy family's favorite since the 60s. The true meaning of 'Mexican-American'. Not your authentic taco, but still damn good. Definitely a 'cheat meal'
Who would have thought that a good ramen place would be in the middle of a super market? Also check out the market + other restaurants!
19 locals recommend
Santouka Ramen
3760 S Centinela AveWho would have thought that a good ramen place would be in the middle of a super market? Also check out the market + other restaurants!
They have 'shaved snow', which is fluffier and different than shaved ice / snow cones!
25 locals recommend
Blockheads Shavery
11311 Mississippi AveThey have 'shaved snow', which is fluffier and different than shaved ice / snow cones!
Public School 310
9411 Culver BlvdA 'new-american' style restaurant.
Drinks & Nightlife
Great all-day Happy Hour at the bar! Awesome food + drinks, especially for the price. Valet parking available.
19 locals recommend
Palomino
10877 Wilshire BlvdGreat all-day Happy Hour at the bar! Awesome food + drinks, especially for the price. Valet parking available.
Start your night at the Abbey if you're looking to have a good time in West Hollywood, known for its wonderful gay scene.
471 locals recommend
The Abbey
692 N Robertson BlvdStart your night at the Abbey if you're looking to have a good time in West Hollywood, known for its wonderful gay scene.
Shopping
Urban Outfitters
1440 3rd Street PromenadeCentury City Mall station
Apple Third Street Promenade
1415 3rd Street PromenadeEssentials
Health-conscious grocery chain with parking lot (can get crowded).
1202 locals recommend
Whole Foods Market
7871 Santa Monica BlvdHealth-conscious grocery chain with parking lot (can get crowded).
Open 24/7! And has validated parking (free for 2 hours), so may be a good idea to take a walk around the village or UCLA.
503 locals recommend
Ralphs
1644 Cloverfield BlvdOpen 24/7! And has validated parking (free for 2 hours), so may be a good idea to take a walk around the village or UCLA.
Trader Joe's
6150 Slauson AveStocks mostly their own branded items, AWESOME!
Target
8480 Beverly BlvdSmaller format target; still has a variety of items!
Mitsuwa Marketplace - Santa Monica
3760 S Centinela AveGood Japanese market
Sightseeing
Rodeo Drive
Rodeo DriveDuh.
Iconic! If you're looking at a view of LA from the ocean, you're most likely also looking at the Santa Monica Pier. Also the end of Route 66.
2744 locals recommend
Santa Monica Pier
200 Santa Monica PierIconic! If you're looking at a view of LA from the ocean, you're most likely also looking at the Santa Monica Pier. Also the end of Route 66.
Also around the Kodak Theatre, Grumman's Chinese Theatre, etc. Likely hugely underwhelming... But hey, you gotta see it!
1913 locals recommend
Hollywood Walk Of Fame HQ
6255 Sunset BlvdAlso around the Kodak Theatre, Grumman's Chinese Theatre, etc. Likely hugely underwhelming... But hey, you gotta see it!
Venice Beach
1900 Ocean Front WalkMuscle Beach, and all the oddities of Venice Beach.
Malibu Beach
Baywatch, anyone? Also nice to take a drive up and down PCH.
Beautiful building and sweeping views of LA. Attached hiking trails there and around the observatory and at Griffith Park!
4367 locals recommend
Griffith Observatory
2800 E Observatory RdBeautiful building and sweeping views of LA. Attached hiking trails there and around the observatory and at Griffith Park!
Arts & Culture
I'm not sure if this is a big thing for people outside of LA, but the light poles in front of the LA County Museum of Art are a pretty cool spectacle. Oh yeah, it's a pretty good museum too. :)
3162 locals recommend
Los Angeles County Museum of Art
5905 Wilshire BlvdI'm not sure if this is a big thing for people outside of LA, but the light poles in front of the LA County Museum of Art are a pretty cool spectacle. Oh yeah, it's a pretty good museum too. :)
Recently got a huge remodel. Must see for the car buff!
538 locals recommend
Petersen Automotive Museum
6060 Wilshire BlvdRecently got a huge remodel. Must see for the car buff!
Amazing art collection, even more amazing views. I believe it's free admission, but parking is $20
2309 locals recommend
The Getty
1200 Getty Center DrAmazing art collection, even more amazing views. I believe it's free admission, but parking is $20
The Getty Villa
17985 Pacific Coast HwyBeautiful California architecture + gallery
Parks & Nature
Escondido Falls
Escondido Canyon TrailShort hike to a waterfall (can be dry at times)
Griffith Park
4730 Crystal Springs Drive